Tuition & Financial Aid
More than $15 million in scholarships awarded last year.
A scholarship makes tuition even more affordable.
Great news! Through the generosity of numerous corporations and foundations, plus special federal government appropriations, WGU maintains a robust program of scholarships made available to qualified students.
Scholarships are one of the many ways in which WGU removes obstacles from your path to achieving your education goals and improving your career opportunities. It’s part of our investment in the future of our students.
Cybersecurity Scholarship
Worth up to $5,000. Apply by December 31st!
Cybersecurity ScholarshipBecome a Teacher Scholarship
Worth up to $2,500 toward a teaching degree.
Become a Teacher ScholarshipSalute to the Armed Forces
Worth up to $3,000 for active-duty military, veterans and spouses.
Armed Forces ScholarshipScholarship eligibility and information.
Scholarships are for new students and returning WGU graduates.
Scholarships are available for new WGU students and returning WGU graduates, depending upon specific eligibility requirements for the particular scholarship. Students are eligible to apply for these scholarships within 90 days of starting a degree program, either before or after.
Scholarships are competitive programs.
Recipients will be chosen based upon their academic record, financial need, readiness for online study, and current competency, plus other considerations specific to the individual scholarship.
Students can receive only one scholarship per degree program.
If a student qualifies for multiple scholarships, the review board will consider each opportunity and select which one to award, if any. WGU employees and their spouses are not eligible.
Named for WGU’s mascot, Sage the Night Owl, the Sage Scholarship is available to help make your decision to enroll at WGU a little easier.
WGU has partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service to help AmeriCorps alumni finish a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
For WGU alums who are interested in pursuing a master's degree.
WGU has partnered with the Western Association of Food Chains to help employees of eligible WAFC partner institutions earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
For graduates and staff of WGU partner community colleges looking to earn a WGU bachelor’s or master’s degree.
For employees of WGU’s partner institutions who wish to advance their education in the business, education, information technology, or healthcare fields.
For former ITT Tech students who wish to continue to pursue their higher education through a degree program at WGU.
For the child or spouse of a WGU grad who desires to experience their own WGU journey.
For motivated Phi Theta Kappa members with an associate's degree who wish to continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree.
For graduates of Harper College, Illinois, who wish to earn a WGU degree.
To honor the service of all first responders, this scholarship is a pathway for these individuals to seek a degree to further their career.
For motivated students who have completed at least four StraighterLine courses who wish to continue their education and earn a degree.
For Red Cross employees and volunteers who are new WGU students that want to earn a WGU bachelor's or master's degree.
For Utah residents to pursue any of the university’s bachelor's degree programs in IT, teaching, business, or healthcare.
For ANPD members looking to earn a WGU online bachelor’s degree or master's degree in nursing or healthcare.
WGU has partnered with the Accountable Care Learning Collaborative (ACLC) to provide members and partnering companies readiness in the growing need for high-performing leadership in the healthcare industry.
Exclusively available to ANPD members, this scholarship will fully cover tuition for up to two years in an M.S. Nursing degree program at WGU.
For new MSN or health leadership students at WGU who display the spirit and commitment to leadership exemplified by Linda Knodel.
To honor Margaret McClure, a champion of the value of higher education in nursing, recipients of this scholarship will be rewarded for their demonstrated activism or innovation in nursing that improves patient outcomes.
For experienced IT or healthcare professionals who wish to attend college online to move into the high-demand field of health information management.
For employees of WGU’s partner hospitals and healthcare organizations who wish to advance their education to become educators, managers, and leaders in vital healthcare fields.
If you're wanting a raise, a promotion, or to jump into a new industry, a master's degree in business from WGU could be exactly what you need.
Western Governors University has partnered with Free For Charity to offer scholarships for professionals working in the nonprofit sector seeking a master's or undergraduate degree.
For Society for Human Resource Management national, regional, or chapter leaders who are looking to add a bachelor’s or master’s degree to their résumé.
Gain the skills and credentials you need to build a strong career in cybersecurity with a bachelor's or master's degree from WGU.
Western Governors University has partnered with Free For Charity to offer scholarships for professionals working in the nonprofit sector seeking a master's or undergraduate degree.
For graduates of the Teachers of Tomorrow program who are now pursuing a master's degree through WGU's Teachers College.
For the men and women who work in America’s K–12 schools and districts who desire to earn a WGU bachelor's or master's degree.
Western Governors University has partnered with National Association of Community Colleges with Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP) to offer scholarships for graduates and staff of NACCTEP-affiliated community colleges to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree and obtain teacher licensure.
For aspiring teachers who are ready to make the switch to a meaningful career in the classroom.
WGU has partnered with the National Military Family Association to offer active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their spouses an opportunity to advance their education.
In honor of Veterans Day 2019, this scholarship, worth up to $3,000, is for active-duty and retired military personnel, veterans, reservists, and their spouses and children.
3 steps to apply for WGU scholarships.
Now that you've looked at scholarships and found one that might apply to you, here's how you apply.
1. Complete the admissions application.
To be considered for any WGU scholarships, you must be provisionally accepted as a WGU student. Complete the admissions application and work with your enrollment counselor to move through the admissions process.
2. Complete the general scholarship application.
The general application is required for all WGU scholarships, and lets us learn more about you and which scholarships you may be eligible for. To access the application, you will need your MyWGU student portal credentials, which will be sent to you shortly after Step 1. NOTE: You are eligible to apply for scholarships within 90 days of starting a degree program, either before or after. You must complete the application within 90 days of your intended start date.
3. Log in to scholarship portal and apply.
Based on what you tell us in Step 2, we’ll let you know which scholarships you might be eligible for. Finish up by reviewing the recommended opportunities and completing the supplemental application for each scholarship you’d like to be considered for. These additional applications need to be submitted within 5 days of submitting the general application.
Common questions about scholarships.
How do you select scholarship winners?
It depends upon the scholarship. In general, we award scholarships based on the following factors:
- Meeting the basic eligibility requirements
- Answers you give on the scholarship application
- An interview with a scholarship counselor
Some scholarships are also based upon evaluations of prior college transcripts and other tests. We encourage you to apply.
When will I find out if I'm selected?
WGU evaluates scholarship applications on a continual basis because we start new students in their programs every month. Often we are able to make an award decision within 8–10 weeks of receiving your application. In most cases, you will also need to have applied for admission and been accepted to the university. An Enrollment Counselor can help explain the process.
Do I get the scholarship all at once?
No. Scholarship awards are divided into a set amount per term. This amount is credited against your tuition due for each term. The details are explained in the description for each scholarship.
Can I also apply for financial aid?
Yes. You probably should apply for federal financial aid, too. Scholarship awards will only cover a portion of your school expenses, and financial aid can help pay for the rest. You can apply for financial aid while you are waiting for a decision about your scholarship application. It will not hurt your chances to win a scholarship. Here is full information on financial aid.
Next Start Date
Jan 1
Start the 1st of any month—as soon as you complete enrollment!
Take the next step.
Ready to move forward toward achieving your goals? Millions of dollars in available scholarships can put the dream of a college degree even more within reach! Get started today—the first step is to apply for admission.
